DRIVERS DISOBEY SCHOOL BUS SIGNS

Editor:

As everyone knows school is now in session. Buses are running in our local communities early morning, around lunch hour and midday taking children to and from school. rnThere are some who think it is their privilege to disobey the laws of the road and disobey bus signal lights, signs, and children getting on or off the bus. In just the past two days I have witnessed drivers disobeying the bus signals, with full red lights flashing and stop sign out, and they rush past the bus while kindergarten children are getting off the bus. SHAME ON YOU!rnYes, I know you heard me yell, Stop, but you decided to ignore the warning and proceed on. And yes, I did see that wonderful hand gesture you gave me because I yelled at you to stop, but you in your own wisdom decided to disobey the bus and the law.
The police have been notified of this problem, so beware “ they may catch you and then you'll have more than just the embarrassment of being caught, you'll have a nice fine to pay also.
To everyone, please be aware that schoolbuses run throughout the day, Monday to Friday. Stop when red lights are flashing, etc. The law is clear in that all vehicles must stop when buses have red lights flashing, etc.
Let's keep all our kids safe. No-one wants to have the memory of a child being injured or possibly killed on their minds for the rest of their life. I know that I don't.

Janette HeppellrnOsoyoos

— (OSOYOOS TIMES — October 4, 2006)

[b]TORY CANDIDATE RALLIES TROOPS[/b]

Editor:

Stand up Conservatives! I've heard some talk of late in the Southern Interior on the notion NDP candidate Alex Atamanenko might be unbeatable in the next election. This notion must be nipped in the bud because it's certainly not true!rnThe thinking begins with the fact that the NDP almost beat us back in the 2004 election, coming to within 680 votes. But a friend of mine once beat the provincial NDP by only 27 votes his first time at the polls. His name is Bill Barisoff, and we all know he won by a comfortable margin in the following election and is now Speaker of the House in Victoria.
We should all remember the expression 'close' only counts in horseshoes, and 'close' will only lead to a win for the NDP if we let it. Bill Barisoff didn't let it, and we Conservatives need to do the same here in the Southern Interior.
Yes the new NDP member is a swell and friendly guy. But he doesn't say much about how we're going to get this country on track after decades of Liberal mismanagement or how the federal government can support and help local constituents. In fact, he's not saying much of anything.
The NDP seem fixated on opposing Canada's role in support of the international efforts to restore Afghanistan to a democratic and humane state, while ignoring the Southern Interior and most of the rest of the country. We need to be addressing local issues like improving our roads, providing real support for the lumber, mining and agricultural sectors, and getting rid of the useless gun registry! Any ideas Alex?rnMy volunteers in the Southern Interior are out working hard to make sure we select a strong Conservative candidate as soon as possible. Every now and then they call a constituent and are shocked to hear the question, Can we beat Atamanenko? The answer is a simple, resounding YES. But it's not going to happen if we select the wrong candidate and the Southern Interior hands the NDP the election on a platter.
It's time to stand up and fight. We're rising in the polls while Belinda Stronach and the Liberals are sifting through a mess of candidates to try to find a leader (go Bob Rae go!). Stephen Harper has the highest approval ratings of any prime minister in recent history, and enjoys unanimous support within our party. He needs your support and the Southern Interior needs the support of the government of Canada. I look forward to seeing all new and existing Conservatives from Princeton to Nelson join me for the challenge ahead.

Mischa PopoffrnCandidate for the Conservative Party, B.C. Southern InteriorrnPenticton

— (OSOYOOS TIMES — October 4, 2006)